fje  g>abte  Unotolano  Coe  ifflugtc  Collection 
of  tfje  Cbansiton  public  Hflirarp 


Founded  in  memory  of  Sadie  Knowland  Coe  (b.  1864, 
d.  1905),  and  designed  to  perpetuate  the  work  of  musical 
culture  carried  on  by  her  in  Evanston  for  twelve  years. 
Opened  to  the  public  April  2,  1908. 

HE  basis  of  this  Collection  is  the  printed  music 
and  books  on  music  belonging  to  Mrs.  Coe  at 
the  time  of  her  death.    The  printed  music  con- 
futes a  nearly  complete  library  of  significant  works 
r  the  pianoforte,  besides  chamber  music,  opera  scores, 
\    Large  additions  have  been  made  to  both  the 
oks  and  the  printed  music,  and  further  additions  will 
made  in  the  near  future.    The  collection  and  an 
dowment  for  its  maintenance  are  the  gift  of 
eorge  A.  Coe. 
In  its  present  state  the  Collection  consists  of  the 
lowing : 

a.  Printed  Music.  In  addition  to  piano  music, 
hich  includes  a  considerable  amount  for  four  hands, 

d  chamber  music,  there  is  a  fairly  complete  collection 
the  scores  of  important  operas,  oratorios,  and  great 
oral  compositions,  and  also  miniature  scores  of  the 
eat  symphonies. 

b.  Books  on  Music.  The  works  now  in  this  Collec- 
n,  taken  in  connection  with  the  works  on  music  in 
e  General  Library,  are  sufficient  for  all  ordinary 
usic  study,  not  only  by  the  people  at  large,  but  also 

music  students  and  teachers.  Not  much  in  the  way 
rare  material  for  professional  research  has  been 
tained,  but  it  is  hoped  that  this  also  can  be  provided 
moderate  measure  as  demand  arises. 

c.  A  Weber  pianola  piano  (themodist),  and  a  col- 
ction  of  pianola  rolls.    Orders  have  been  given  for 
out  500  rolls,  of  which  over  100  have  thus  far  been 
ceived. 


In  harmony  with  Mrs.  Coe's  efforts  to  promote  the 
popular  appreciation  of  music,  the  guiding  principle  in 
the  selection  of  all  material  has  been  a  desire  to  furnish 
apportunity  for  music  study  to  persons  at  as  many 
stages  of  musical  culture  as  possible,  but  most  of  all 
to  persons  whose  aims  are  those  of  general  rather  than 
professional  culture.  The  printed  music  and  the 
pianola  rolls  represent  primarily  the  history  of  music  as 
it  is  illustrated  in  the  best  specimens  of  the  various 
periods  and  forms.  What  is  merely  pleasing  or  popular, 
but  without  either  historical  significance  or  artistic 
value,  has  been  excluded.  In  order,  further,  that  there 
may  be  opportunity  not  merely  to  acquire  information, 
but  also  to  study  music  itself,  that  is,  the  actual  tones, 
a  piano  has  been  provided.  Readers  in  the  General 
Library  will  not  be  disturbed,  for  the  floor  and  wall  of 
the  music  room  have  been  efficiently  deadened.  Persons 
who  have  an  adequate  piano  technic  may  here  read  the 
printed  music  for  themselves;  persons  who  lack  such 
technic  will  be  able  to  read  a  considerable  number  of 
the  same  compositions  by  the  help  of  the  pianola. 

The  entire  collection  is  placed  in  a  room  by  itself, 
which  is  furnished  for  use  as  a  general  music  work- 
room, with  facilities  for  copying  music,  etc.  The  por- 
trait of  Mrs.  Coe,  which  is  by  Ralph  Clarkson,  after  a 
photograph  by  W.  B.  Dyer,  is  a  gift  from  many  of  her 
friends.  The  specially  designed  flower  vase  in  beaten 
copper  bears  the  initials  of  its  donor,  the  Alpha  Chi  Omega 
Sorority,  of  which  Mrs.  Coe  was  an  honorary  member. 
The  piano  lamp,  table  lamp,  and  desk  set  in  beaten 
copper  were  specially  designed  for  this  room,  and  each 
piece  bears  the  letter  "C."  The  life-size  busts  of 
Beethoven  and  Wagner  suggest  the  two  foci  of  Mrs.  Coe's 
broad  musical  interests. 

All  printed  music,  rolls,  and  books  on  music, 
whether  contained  in  the  Coe  Collection  or  in  the  Gen- 
eral Library,  are  catalogued  together.  Duplicate  card 
catalogues  will  be  found  in  the  Coe  room  and  in  the 
general  delivery  room. 


Books,  printed  music,  and  rolls  will  be  loaned  for 
home  use  on  conditions  that  will  be  described  in  the 
rules  of  the  collection.  As  far  as  rolls  are  concerned, 
this  is  an  experiment  for  which  there  is  no  precedent. 
The  results  of  the  experiment  will  determine  whether 
the  plan  shall  become  permanent,  or  whether  the  use 
of  rolls  shall  be  restricted  to  the  Coe  room.  Pianola 
rolls  will  fit  many  players  beside  the  pianola.  Recom- 
mendations of  books,  music,  or  rolls  for  purchase  will  be 
carefully  considered. 

ftentattoe  3Rule£ 

Use  of  Room 

For  access  to  Coe  Music  Room,  apply  at  Loan  Desk. 

Hours:  An  attendant  will  be  in  the  room,  until 
April  1 8,  from  10  to  I,  and  from  2  to  5  daily  except 
Sunday,  and  on  Monday,  Wednesday  and  Friday 
evenings,  7  to  9,  for  the  purpose  of  explaining  the  Col- 
lection, and  the  use  of  the  pianola. 

Reference  use  of  books  and  music  to  be  made  in 
Coe  Room  at  usual  Library  hours. 

Books  and  music  not  to  be  carried  to  general  read- 
rooms  without  special  permission. 

The  piano  is  not  to  be  used  for  practice  or  amuse- 
ment, and  it  is  understood  that  the  time  of  each  player 
is  limited. 

Circulation  of  Books  and  Music 

Books,  music,  and  pianola  rolls  will  be  loaned  upon 
the  usual  borrower's  card,  and  will  be  subject  to  the 
rules  governing  the  circulation  of  books  from  the 
General  Library.  Music  and  rolls  may  be  taken  in 
addition  to  the  two  books  now  allowed  on  a  card. 

Unless  otherwise  marked,  books  and  music  may  be 
retained  two  weeks.  Pianola  rolls  may  be  retained 
seven  days. 

Only  two  rolls,  or  the  several  rolls  comprising  one 
composition,  may  be  taken  at  one  time  on  a  borrower's 
card. 


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